ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Hajj operations for 2025 got underway on Tuesday as hundreds of pilgrims boarded the first flights to Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of a nationwide campaign to send over 89,000 people to perform the pilgrimage.
The inaugural flight took off from ISLAMABAD early in the morning, carrying 442 government-sponsored pilgrims to Madinah. A second group of 150 departed from Lahore shortly afterward. By the end of the day, six flights will have departed from ISLAMABAD, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Multan.
Speaking at the send-off, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf described the pilgrims as “guests of Allah” and emphasized the importance of respecting Saudi customs. He also announced his intention to visit Saudi Arabia in the coming days to oversee arrangements.
This year’s Hajj operation spans 33 days and will see 342 scheduled flights departing under the government scheme. An additional 23,620 pilgrims are expected to travel through private tour operators.
Roughly 50,000 Pakistani pilgrims will benefit from the Makkah Route Initiative — a pre-departure immigration process now active at airports in ISLAMABAD and Karachi. The program, managed by Saudi authorities, is designed to speed up entry procedures for pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom.
As part of the support package, each pilgrim received a mobile SIM card preloaded with a guidance app. Authorities also distributed gifts, including flowers and copies of the Quran, at departure lounges.
Saudi officials estimate this year’s Hajj could attract over 2.5 million Muslims from around the world, making it one of the largest pilgrimages in recent history.
